Saturday, August 6, 2011

President Obama's Statement After Taliban Attack Kills US Forces In Afghanistan

President mourns American heroes; briefed at Camp David..."My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the Americans who were lost earlier today in Afghanistan," President Obama said in a statement released by the White House today, following the Taliban attack that killed 30 members of the military, including 22 members of SEAL Team Six. The President was briefed on the attack while on a weekend break at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland. According to the White House, the President spoke by phone to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, National Security Advisor Tom Donilon, Chief of Staff Bill Daley, and national security staff. (Above: The White House released this photo of the call)

The President's full statement:

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the Americans who were lost earlier today in Afghanistan. Their deaths are a reminder of the extraordinary sacrifices made by the men and women of our military and their families, including all who have served in Afghanistan. We will draw inspiration from their lives, and continue the work of securing our country and standing up for the values that they embodied.

We also mourn the Afghans who died alongside our troops in pursuit of a more peaceful and hopeful future for their country. At this difficult hour, all Americans are united in support of our men and women in uniform who serve so that we can live in freedom and security.